Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| serpente | /serˈpɛn.te/ | masculine |
| serpe | /ˈsɛr.pe/ | feminine |
| biscia | /ˈbiʃ.ʃa/ | feminine |
The term is used to describe the legless reptile. It is also commonly used metaphorically to describe a treacherous or deceitful person.
Which one should you use?
Serpente is the standard, neutral term for the animal. Serpe is a more poetic or archaic form often found in literature or used to describe a person in a highly dramatic, metaphorical way. Biscia is an informal, more colloquial term often used for smaller, non-venomous snakes. The related verb serpeggiare means to move in a winding, snake-like motion, such as a road or a river.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Northern Italy, specifically in Lombardy and Piedmont, the word lucertola may be used interchangeably to refer to either a small snake or a lizard. In some regions, vipera (which specifically means viper) may be used to refer to any kind of venomous or dangerous snake.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The standard masculine noun is serpente. The forms serpe and biscia are feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables: ser-pen-te. The stress is on the second syllable: /serˈpɛn.te/.
Did you know?
- The symbol of the city of Milan is the Biscione, a giant grass snake eating a human being.
- The word biscia is etymologically a distant cousin to the Italian word bestia, meaning 'beast' or 'brute'.
- The feminine form serpe is almost never used in daily conversation and is reserved for high literature or opera.
Examples in context
- Lei è un serpente.You're a snake.This sentence shows how to call someone a snake using serpente.Tatoeba #13324718 by Guybrush88, translation #12424380 by Miktsoanit
- Ah, è un serpente!Ah, you're a snake!This sentence shows an exclamation using serpente.Tatoeba #13324851 by Guybrush88, translation #12370561 by jan_usawi_sewi_o
- Il serpente è vivo?Is the snake alive?This sentence uses serpente to ask about the state of the animal.Tatoeba #6858134 by Guybrush88, translation #1138309 by CK
- Il serpente è uno dei rettili più affascinanti.The snake is one of the most fascinating reptiles.
- Mamma guarda, un serpentello!Mom, look, a little snake!
- Ho visto una biscia nel giardino di nonna. Pensa che era enorme!I saw a snake in grandma's garden. Can you believe it was huge!
- Ho paura delle lucertole… intendo serpenti!I'm scared of lizards… I mean snakes!
- Stai attento a quella vipera!Be careful of that venomous snake!
- 243 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Giulia are hiking in a park.
- AlessandroGiulia, guarda quel serpente!Giulia, look at that snake!
- GiuliaÈ un serpente molto grande.It is a very large snake.
- AlessandroSiamo al sicuro qui.We are safe here.
- GiuliaSì, restiamo lontani dal serpente.Yes, let's stay away from the snake.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snake” translations and entries serpente, serpe, biscia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries biscia, serpe, serpente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
